Nigeria says is ready to open a dialog with the terrorist organization Boko Haram in hopes of securing the release of the nearly 300 girls abducted by the group in April.
Since their kidnapping one month ago, some of the girls have been forced to convert to Islam and some have reportedly been forced to marry.
One Nigerian cabinet official says engaging in talks with the terrorist group could be key in bringing the girls home.
"A lot of promises have been made; we are still pursuing those promises," Nigeria's Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki said.
The news comes one day after Mike Omeri, the director of the government's information agency, said the government will "use whatever kind of action" it takes to free the young women.
"At the moment because all options are open, we are interacting with experts, military, and intelligence experts from other parts of the world," he said late Monday. "So these are part of the options that are available to us and many more."
Meanwhile, the United States, Israel, and Britain are assisting Nigeria in its rescue efforts. U.S. surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft have already begun flying over the West African nation.
"I think it's important to note that when we talk about assisting in the effort to locate the girls we are talking about helping the Nigerian government search an area that is roughly the size of New England," White House press secretary Jay Carney said.
"So this is no small task. But we are certainly bringing resources to bear in our effort to assist the government," he said.
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